Something Old, Something New...
One way to celebrate your wedding day and to make a really unique fashion statement is through the use of body art.
The reason I called this post "Something Old, Something New" is because
body art for weddings has been around for centuries,
but is a relatively new concept for modern-day brides who are not from any particular religious tradition.
The three main options are mehndi, body painting, and tattoos, both temporary and permanent.
Mehndi
Mehndi is the application of henna in elaborate designs which last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The most common areas for mehndi designs are the feet and the hands because the designs last the longest in those areas. But they can be, and often are, applied anywhere on the body. And mehndi is not just for the bride; the bridegroom can be decorated as well.
The use of mehndi for weddings and other special occasions is traditional in Southeast Asian ethnicities, among others, and probably dates back to ancient India. Many Muslims employ mehndi practices because they were used in the day of the Prophet Mohammad. The designs, which can take many hours to set, are applied ceremoniously in special gatherings of women, much like a modern-day bachelorette party.
The designs themselves can be as simple or as complicated as
you want them. Often symbols of love, union and harmony or the names of
the bride and groom are incorporated into the designs. If you’re interested in a mehndi design for your wedding, the best place to look for a
mehndi artist is among ethnic communities, such as Southeast Asians,
Somalis, or Muslims in general.
Body painting
Body painting is another option. It’s more versatile than mehndi color-wise (henna creates a red-brown coloration–be cautious about black colors as they often use dangerous dyes) but also more difficult to employ because it has to be done the day of the wedding. The designs can be anything you want and in any colors. One of the nicest uses of body painting I’ve seen was a fairly simple design in white (and possibly another accent color) painted on the forehead in a kind of bindi design.
Tattoos
If you’re
very daring–and ready to make the commitment–a permanent tattoo can be
the way to go. I would go with something discrete that fits in with your
wedding dress. You’ll want to get it done in enough time for it to heal completely before
the wedding (and honeymoon). But another way to go is a temporary
tattoo. I found an especially nice source on the Internet called I Do Tattoos. They only have a few designs but they’re all tasteful and their color is blue (there’s your "something blue").
Svetlana fulfils the diverse and often challenging needs from her clients, particularly with brides.
She has a special understanding of how important it is to have a design that complements ones individual style and personality, whether it’s traditional, contemporary or fusion.
And with many women today leading busy, hectic lives, Svetlana appreciates that all they want is a reliable artist who works efficiently, without compromising on care and quality.
Wedding Body Painting:
(For any occasion or event! )
- Body Painting (unit) = $50 & Up
- Face art = $150 & Up
